Kingston, 26 July 2021 – “The Festival Song is back!” declared the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, after the successful staging of the 2021 competition.

The Minister was beaming with satisfaction after the final show and the announcement of the winner live on national television and online.

“A woman has won and what’s interesting… a Dancehall song, a really hardcore Dancehall song has won,” said the Minister as she reflected on this year’s competition.

As was the case last year, the 2021 competition had to be a virtual affair because of restrictions on gatherings to prevent the spread of covid-19.

Despite the absence of road shows across the country to introduce the Jamaica Festival Song finalists, Minister Grange said there was still a very good response to the competition which relied on public vote to determine the winner.

The thousands of people who voted via mobile networks and on the Reggae Jamaica app over a two week period chose the Dancehall artiste, Stacious, with her song titled, ‘Jamaican Spirit’ to be the winner.

“Yes, one for the books, and I’m really happy about that,” said Stacious after being presented with the winner’s trophy and cash prize of three million dollars to be shared among singer, song writer and producer.

Stacious’ song doesn’t sound like the typical Festival Song and the lyrics are different as well. The singer says that’s the point:

“I definitely wanted to come outside of the box. I never wanted to talk about the usual food, the beaches — we know how Jamaica is beautiful. I wanted to pay homage to the real truth behind Jamaica — what makes Jamaica, Jamaica is the people. We are the most creative, the most resilient… we’re just a whole vibe, we’re a mood, we walk into a room [and] everything changes. And I just wanted to celebrate that and pat all of my fellow Jamaicans on the back and say ‘hey, we survived a very hard year [and] we have further to go’”

Minister Grange, who has been working to revitalise and refresh the Jamaica Festival Song competition, said Spacious’ victory will enhance those efforts.

Minister Grange said:
“Stacious’ win will bring in the young people. It will bring in the grassroots people. It will bring in the hardcore dancehall communities. It will make a difference. And with the involvement of I-Octane and Tamo J, we have finally been able to make the Festival Song competition appeal to everybody.

[The Jamaica Festival Song competition] truly reflects the culture because even the genres tonight reflected the different types of Jamaican music…We were able to reach out to Jamaicans and the diversity of the Jamaican society and music.

I would say Festival Song is back and all set for the Diamond Jubilee next year when we celebrate our 60th anniversary [of Independence].”

For the first time, this year there was a ‘Best Performer Award’ which went to dancer turned singer ‘DB’ who also finished second in the popular vote with ‘Love Jamaica My Land’.

Tamo J placed third with his Dancehall song ‘Real Talk (Jamrock)’.

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Kingston, 24 July 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has released the following statement at the passing of Hugh Nash, the former Chairman and Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.

Minister’s Statement

“I am deeply saddened at the news of the passing of Mr. Hugh Nash, former Executive Director and Chairman of the JCDC. Nicknamed ‘Mr. Festival’ for his work in positioning the Jamaica Festival movement and cultural development at the centre of national development, Nash was a true Jamaican patriot whose energy and commitment to nation-building knew no bounds as he gave tireless service to this the land of his birth.

Mr. Nash was invited by then Minister of Planning and Development, the late former Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga, to develop a document to ensure that culture would play an integral role in the upliftment of the lives of the Jamaican working class. Out of this emerged the Jamaica Festival Commission. When the name was changed to the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, he again led the charge to develop the organisation.

He was one of those humble souls who knew only to give his all to care for the working people of Jamaica.

Mr. Nash was instrumental in the organisation of Things Jamaica through which Jamaican craftsmen, women and artisans received support for development, trade and export.

He also helped to establish the Jamaica National Heritage Trust when its name was changed from National Trust Commission.

The achievements of Hugh Nash in national cultural development were anchored in deep knowledge and appreciation for the working class people of Jamaica whom he saw as creators and guardians of our history and culture. He learnt it all by traversing the villages in his parish Manchester, talking and interacting with the people, while cultivating the management and administrative acumen that reflected his leadership of national cultural development.

With Hugh Nash’s passing, Jamaica has lost a great son, cultural icon and tradition bearer, management and leadership expert.

Mr. Nash never said no to any call to serve his beloved Jamaica. He will be sorely missed.

I say to his family: you have given to Jamaica a cultural powerhouse to whom our nation is grateful. May you take comfort in his service to our country.”

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Kingston, 8 July 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced major changes to the gospel song component of the annual Jamaica Festival.

“Whereas in the past it was the Jamaica Gospel Song competition, this year it is the Jamaica Gospel Star competition,” said Minister Grange.

She said the format of the competition has changed.

Unlike its predecessor, which focused on finalists performing and building momentum for their original song, the Jamaica Gospel Star Competition will see contestants performing cover songs in two weekly televised performance shows.

“Through those performances, vocals, and how they’re able to capture their audience — that is how we will choose the star of gospel for 2021. “We’re looking for that star.”

The 10 finalists for the Jamaica Gospel Star competition include Daynea Deacon Jones who won the Gospel Song Competition in 2018, Mirriam Hibbert who was the runner-up in 2012, Kaydene Smith who was runner-up in 2010 and 2020 as part of the groups ‘Servants’ and ‘Euphoria’ respectively, and Daron Mitchell who was finished 3rd in 2019.

Former National Children’s Gospel winners Kevin Melbourne and Erica Lumsden are also among the Jamaica Gospel Star finalists which are completed by Raheim Betty, Latanya Elliot, Carlington Watson and Malika James.

Minister Grange said “the finalists will be promoted through 4 shows on CVM television. The public will be able to vote for each contestant and through the number of votes polled the Jamaica Gospel Star will be selected.”

The Acting Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, Marjorie Leyden-Kirton said “We’re very excited about our first Jamaica Gospel Star Competition. We have high expectations of these experienced and talented finalists who were selected from more than 100 entries. They will bless the nation with their performances.”

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Kingston, 7 July 2021 – The songs vying to become the Jamaica Festival Song for 2021 are now available for download and streaming on the major music streaming services including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Pandora and Spotify.

The album — Jamaica Festival 2021 Song Competition — with the 12 finalists went live on the weekend.

It’s the second year that the finalists in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition are being exposed on global streaming platforms as part of plans by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, to revitalise the annual Jamaica Festival.

Last year’s Jamaica Festival Song finalists were streamed on 30 digital platforms across the world and Minister Grange says there are plans to add other platforms this year.

The 12 finalists are:

Minister Grange said:

“These 12 songs will get maximum exposure on the digital platforms and then the public will be able to vote to determine the winning song.  They’re gonna vote across service providers and also on the Reggae Jamaica app where, particularly members of the Diaspora will be able to poll their votes.”

The Reggae Jamaica app is available for iOs and Android devices.

The voting options are now open.

The finalists will perform in two televised shows to be aired on TVJ and social media on July 15 and 22.

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Kingston 10, June 2021 (JIS) - The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission is now 95 per cent digitised in its processes.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, gave this update during her 2021/2022 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives, on June 8.

“Our efforts at modernising the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission are bearing fruit. For the first time this year, the Commission will accept entries for its various competitions leading up to Jamaica Festival in a completely digital form,” Minister Grange said.

“Additionally, we are investing in an e-commerce platform for the JCDC’s website where it will be able to sell products to support its operations,” she added. 

The Minister noted that the Government has invested heavily in the Commission’s live-stream capability to the point where it is now beginning to earn revenue from streams of various activities of the JCDC and the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

“We have [also] put the necessary processes in place to enable the JCDC, for the first time, to have the entries in its Festival Song Competition available for purchase and streaming on 30 digital platforms across the world. The JCDC is now earning royalties, and the competitors are now earning royalties and we are now compliant, as we should be, with the music industry,” she said.

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Kingston, 2 October 2020 - The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, today announced that the Jamaica Gospel Song 2020 Album is now available on international streaming platforms including Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer, Spotify and Amazon Music, as of today Friday, October 2, 2020.

This international release of the Gospel album follows closely on the successful release of the Jamaica Festival Song Album, which peaked at #11 on the iTunes Reggae Album Chart in July. Now lovers of gospel music worldwide will have access to the amazing Jamaica Gospel 2020 Album.

“The moment I heard the songs I knew that they had the potential to go way beyond the competition, and I committed to facilitating the realisation of that vision. I made that commitment to the artistes and today I am proud to say, mission accomplished,” said the Minister.

“The Pandemic presented lots of challenges which affected our usual ways of operation, but we were never daunted” said Minister Grange. “The team at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and at my Ministry decided that the limes thrown our way could be used to make sweet tasting lemonade. We saw the success of the Jamaica Festival Song album on the international scene, and firmly believe that Gospel can reap the same level of success. This approach is giving longer life to the top ten songs and greater exposure to the artistes who have participated” the Minister added.

The Album has been available digitally via pre-order since September 18, 2020, and is being distributed by VPAL Music. Persons wishing to purchase the album may visit the various platforms to stream and download the ten-track set.

The winner of the Competition, Treisha Williams with 'One Dose of the Holy Ghost', was announced on July 26, 2020 during a live nationwide telecast of the event on CVM TV. The songs on the album span many Jamaican music genres with variations and fusions obvious in many of the tracks.

This is the first time that the Jamaica Gospel Song Album, produced by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission as part of the annual Independence celebrations, is being made available digitally, locally and internationally.

The track list of the album is as follows:

 Songs are available here: https://smarturl.it/jamaicagospel2020

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Kingston, 27 July 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated the Reggae star, Buju Banton, on winning the 2020 Jamaica Festival Song competition.

Buju Banton emerged winner of the competition on Sunday (yesterday) with his song titled, ‘I Am A Jamaican’ following a public vote.

Minister Grange said she was happy with the decision to have the public select the winner.

“We put the power to choose the Jamaica Festival Song into the hands of the public and I am happy to see how much Jamaicans warmed to that idea,” said Minister Grange, adding “I am satisfied to see the renewed interest in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition after years of hard work to revitalise our national celebrations.”

The winning song earned a total of J$3 Million in cash prizes to be divided among the singer, writer and producer.

In his first comments after being named winner of the Jamaica Festival Song competition, Buju Banton said:
“I want to congratulate the true winners tonight. Everyone who participated in this competition: you’re all winners. I was happy to share the stage with you all. But for me the true winners tonight are the Sunbeam Boys’ Home.”

Buju Banton will donate his winnings to the Children’s Home.

Papa Michigan of Michigan and Smiley fame placed second with his entry ‘Jamaica Dance’, while the actress and television presenter, Sakina, placed third with ‘We are Jamaica’.

Minister Grange thanked everyone, especially artistes and songwriters, who “played a part in making this year’s Jamaica Festival Song Finals a resounding success.”

According to Minister Grange: “The success of this year’s competition has provided us with the perfect springboard to soar to even greater heights. I anticipate even more exciting times ahead.”

Minister Grange also announced that because of the prevailing health concerns, there will be no Grand Gala this year inside the National Stadium. “To compensate for that and to ensure that we commemorate our independence in fine style, we’ve created a wonderful virtual show – the Jamaica 58 Independence Spectacular, which will be broadcast LIVE on Independence Day from 4pm to 7pm,” said the Minister.

Minister Grange also appealed for public support of the Jamaica Festival Gospel Song competition which will climax next Sunday, August 2. The winner will also be selected by public vote.

The list of finalists for the Jamaica Festival Gospel Song competition and associated voting line follows:

Treisha Williams ‘One Dose of the Holy Ghost’ 876-444-4210
Deon McDonald ‘You Are Real’ 876-444-4211
Sheri-Gaye Johnson ‘I Worship You’ 876-444-4212
Offniel Lamont ‘Forever God’ 876-444-4213
Father Reece ‘Satan Guweh’ 876-444-4214
Euphoria ‘Live Today’ 876-444-4215
Martanek Phipps ‘Ye Who’s Without Sin’ 876-444-4216
Anthony Malcolm ‘I Need You Close’ 876-444-4217
Oliver Ashley ‘No Bargain’ 876-444-4218
David Sutton ‘Our Response’ 876-444-4219

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Kingston, 21 July 2020 – The 2020 Jamaica Festival Song Album titled ‘Jamaica Festival 2020 Song Competition’ is now listed at number 13 on the Apple Music Reggae Album Chart.

“This is great news for our country and for the finalists,” said Minister Grange as she reacted to the news.

The 2020 Jamaica Festival Song album entered the chart at number 15 and has climbed two places to 13. It means that ‘Jamaica Festival 2020 Song Competition’ is among the most popular Reggae albums downloaded on Apple Music (formerly iTunes).

Minister Grange said:
“This is a great achievement. It is historic. It is the first time that we have had songs in the entry stage making it to an international chart. This says a lot about the renewed interest being showed in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition. The fact that we have so many established performers participating has been a tremendous fillip and this should encourage others in the future to see the competition for what it is; one of the oldest professional singing contests in the world.”

‘Jamaica Festival 2020 Song Competition’ features the top ten finalists this year.

Minister Grange has made an appeal to the public, particularly members of the Jamaican Diaspora to download and stream the Jamaica Festival Song album and add it to their playlists. “This will send the album further up the charts.”

In addition to the Apple Music platform, the 2020 Jamaica Festival Song album is also available for download and streaming on Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and Tidal.

For the first time the Jamaica Festival Song Competition is being staged as a virtual event due to the necessary restrictions to fight the spread of covid-19. The live performance show of the Jamaica Festival Song competition was broadcast worldwide on Sunday, July 19, and attracted thousands of viewers.

The winner, to be decided by public vote, will be announced this Sunday, July 26, during a live broadcast on TVJ and online to viewers across the world.

Voting lines remain open for the public to choose this year’s winner.

The list of entries and associated voting line follows:

Buju Banton ‘I am a Jamaican’ (876)-444-7701
Xtra Bigg ‘Jamaica a Paradise’ (876)-444-7702
Papa Michigan ‘Jamaica Dance’ (876)-444-7703
Nazzle Man ‘Jamaica Nice’ (876)-444-7704
Shuga 'One People’ (876)-444-7705
Toots & the Maytals ‘Rise up Jamaicans’ (876)-444-7706
Radix OD ‘The Place to Be’ (876)-444-7707
Freddie McGregor ‘Tun up di Sound’ (876)-444-7708
L.U.S.T. ‘Wave Di Flag’ (876)-444-7709
Sakina ‘We are Jamaica’ (876)-444-7710

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Kingston, 15 June 2020 (JIS) - Four years after winning the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition and launching Motivate Jamaica (JA) as her national project, Kyesha Randall is still using her platform to impact the lives of Jamaicans.

Ms. Randall, who is a lover of the creative and performing arts, describes herself as a “driven and spiritual” individual, who is always seeking new ways to motivate and help others.

Her latest project, Mental Matters, is an online discussion forum that was designed to give persons the opportunity to share and learn about mental health and wellness in Jamaica.

She told JIS News that Mental Matters, which was held from May 25 to 27 via Zoom, was her way of revamping Motivate JA, by focusing on an issue that she could personally relate to and has seen risen to the forefront in recent times due to COVID-19.

“I am a silent sufferer, and navigating my emotions and mental wellness has become a part of my daily life. Some days are better than others and during COVID it became increasingly difficult to get a hold on my anxiety,” Ms. Randall stated.

“I hated the feeling, and I knew there had to be others like me who were on the same emotional roller coaster, if not worse. I was honestly just looking for a community of supporters, and God led me here to be the person who provided what I was looking for,” she added.

Ms. Randall admitted that Motivate JA had not been as active as it was when she won the 2016 Festival Queen Competition organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).

“We were not doing a lot of projects that we had to sit down to really conceptualise and come up with a proposal for. What we’ve mostly been doing in the dormant season is visiting children’s home – having a day of donation, giving back and just socialising with the children who are in the homes,” she stated.

“We’ve also done a few clothes drives, giving back to the community or to other projects, but in terms of really getting some work done, Mental Matters is the project that we are using to revamp Motivate JA,” she added.

Initially, Motivate JA was targeted at impacting the lives of high-school students who were in need of emotional support.

Now, with a new project focusing on Mental Health, Ms. Randall hopes to create “a safe space” for all Jamaicans who “suffer in silence, whether from their own mental health struggles or that of a loved one”.

She told JIS News that Motivate JA partnered with organisations such as the Jamaican Psychological Society and the Jamaica Mental Health Advocacy Network (JAMHAN) to host the online forum.

The conversation was focused on three main topics – opening up about your state of mind and asking for help; coping and caring for yourself and others who go through mental illness; and breaking the stigma and identifying rehabilitation strategies and facilities that are available.

“Mental Health is such a vast topic to explore in three days and I thought these three areas would be a great way to begin the conversation and explore further what so many may want to know, but were just too afraid to ask out loud,” Ms. Randall pointed out.

She said a total of 96 persons registered to participate in the forum, adding that participants were from Jamaica, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Ms. Randall said based on feedback received, her team is looking into releasing the audio of each session as a podcast, to give participants, as well as those who were unable to join the discussion, an opportunity to listen to the tips that were given on how to manage mental health.

Meanwhile, the former festival queen noted that while the process of organising and managing a project can be very “daunting”, she is encouraging other young people, with a similar vision, but who are unsure of what to do, to just “get started and everything will fall into place”.

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The St. Catherine Parish Council was today (Thursday) named winner of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Spirit of Independence Competition in the category best decorated parish/town square.